Jacobs Academy Ballet Program

Jacobs Academy Ballet Program

Our Mission

The Jacobs Academy Ballet Program provides training, education, and mentorship to dancers who want to study the art of ballet and include it in their lives. We serve all who dream to dance, including children and young adults who wish to train at the pre-professional level and those who seek to dance as a recreational extra-curricular experience. We share our devotion and commitment to the art and practice of dance, and we build supportive and joyful connections among our dancers, their families, our faculty, and the Jacobs School.

Core Values

We believe that ballet training can and should build confidence, creativity, intelligence, discipline, and a positive self-image in every student.

We commit to ensuring that all ballet training and performance activities take place in a positive learning environment in which every dancer feels welcome, supported, safe, nurtured, and inspired to seek the best in themselves.

We aspire to motivate and encourage dancers to feel the thrill of their own hard work, to move with grace, confidence, and fearlessness as they develop as artists, and to take pride in the shared accomplishment of their ballet community.

We recognize the essential importance of live musical accompaniment and robust, regular performance activities in enriching and enhancing the student experience onstage and in the ballet studio.

Learn more about the program:

Our program features outstanding instruction to bring the best in ballet to each student. Content is specifically tailored to meet the developmental needs of each level. In ballet technique classes, focus is placed on alignment, posture, coordination, and musicality, while creating a solid foundation with movements that require a healthy understanding of correct turnout. Through the traditional structure of barre and center work, the seemingly simple ability to extend, stretch, bend, and straighten the knees tranforms into jumps, turns, balances, and high extensions. In pre-pointe and pointe classes, we look at strengthening the articulation of the foot and ankle safely as dancers explore the new medium of expression the pointe shoe provides. In variations class, dancers explore repertoire that will challenge their artistry in level-appropriate ways as well as enhance their understanding of the beautiful artistry ballet can create. Contemporary class rounds out our program and allows dancers to fully explore their range of movement while preparing them to dance beyond their classical roots. Open classes are held on Saturday afternoons for those of you who have always wanted to join in the ballet fun! This class will challenge all levels, ages, and abilities while pushing your artistic expression in a fun and welcoming environment.

Merit-based financial aid is only for levels 1-6. If you would like to fill out an application for merit scholarship for our program, please click on this link for details. Please have your completed application submitted to balletpc@iu.edu no later than August 12, 2024.

Need-based financial aid is decided by a committee that is separate from the Jacobs Academy Ballet faculty, and the application deadline is August 12, 2024. If you are interested in applying for need-based aid please contact the Office of Jacobs Academy at musicsp@iu.edu for more information. 

Our levels are preliminarily based at the discretion of the Program Director, however, level adjustments may be made according to their ability, skill and work ethic. Those invitations will be coordinated with families and always monitor what is best for the dancer’s health and well-being. Please assure your dancer that these are to establish a schedule that offers the resources needed to train in ballet at the highest level. If you have any questions, please reach out to balletpc@iu.edu.

We are happy to now offer an Open Class on Saturday for dancers ages 13-Adult. This class offers a point of flexibility for dancers interested in a lighter schedule of ballet while still incorporating learning and growth into their program.

All dancers and families joining us for our Jacobs Academy Pre-College Ballet Program may optionally mask while attending classes in our facilities. Adaptations to masking requirements will be communicated as needed and follow the university’s directives for health and safety. You will notice that we will be differentiating levels in our classes through the dress code and, in coordination with the ballet department of the Jacobs School of Music, we are making significant changes to the ballet attire as the art form moves towards a more inclusive future. Dancers have a choice of wearing either a leotard in the color of their designated level with flesh-toned or ballet pink tights, or thick black fitted tights with a fitted white t-shirt. Shoe color should match tights whenever possible. We recognize the economic implications of this shift in dress code, and we are happy to grant families the time it takes to make these changes. Please reach out to the ballet department at balletpc@iu.edu for guidance or questions.

Academy faculty

Robin Hoover Allen dancing with children

Robin Hoover Allen specializes in teaching creative movement classes for young children with a pre-ballet focus, and she also teaches elective courses in classical and contemporary ballet as  well as yoga, as a visiting lecturer with the ballet department. Allen is an alumna of IU with a Bachelor of Science in ballet and human biology and a Master of Science in ballet.

Rebecca Janes

Rebecca Janes has performed principal roles throughout her extensive career in notable ballets by leading choreographers such as George Balanchine, Alonzo King, Dwight Rhoden, Nacho Duato, Gerald Arpino, Marius Petipa, Sasha Janes and many others. Fully certified in Romana Pilates, she instructs privately from her home studio in Bloomington.

Glenda Lucena

Glenda Lucena is a world-renowned professional ballet teacher and repetiteur. She brings her insight, excellence and spirituality into every studio. Lucena has served as Ballet Master at Miami City Ballet, taught consistently for the Chautauqua Institution and served as both faculty and repetiteur for the JSoM Ballet Department.

For more information, please contact balletpc@iu.edu.

2024-2025 Calendar

Fall 2024 Semester
DateEvent
Monday, August 12 – Friday, August 30 Bridge Classes, a la carte: Level 2 – 3 (T/Th) and 4 – 6 (M/W/F)
Tuesday, September 3Fall Semester Begins
Saturday, September 7 or 14 (TBC)Nutcracker Placement (Level 1-6, during class-time)
Thursday, October 17 – Sunday, October 20Fall Break (MCCSC Fall Break)
Friday, October 18, 7:30pm and Saturday, October 19, 2pm and 7:30pmIU Ballet Theater- Fall Ballet (collegiate production)
Saturday, November 9 – Friday, November 15Parent Observation Week: Level 1 – 6
Friday, November 15Creative Ballet 2/3: Last class of fall semester and Parent Observation
Saturday, November 16Creative Ballet and Pre-Ballet: Last class of fall semester and Parent Observation; Open Ballet and Pilates: Last class
Monday, November 18 Primary: Last class of fall semester and Parent Observation; Open Ballet: Last class
Friday, November 22Levels 1 – 6: Last class
Saturday, November 23 – Saturday, November 30 Thanksgiving Break
Sunday, December 1 – Wednesday, December 4 Nutcracker Tech Week (Level 1 – 6)
Thursday, December 5 – Sunday, December 8IU Ballet Theater- Nutcracker Performances (collegiate production featuring JA Ballet dancers in Level 1 – 6)
Monday, December 9No Classes
Tuesday, December 10Fall Semester concludes with possible Nutcracker filming (TBA)
Monday, December 16 – Friday, December 20Bridge Classes, a la carte: Level 2 – 3 (T/Th) and 4 – 6 (M/W/F)
Spring 2025 Semester
DateEvent
Monday, January 6 – Friday, January 31Bridge Classes, a la carte: Level 2 – 3 (T/Th) and 4 – 6 (M/W/F)
Monday, January 20No Bridge Class; Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 3Spring Semester Begins
Monday, February 17No Class; President’s Day
Friday, March 14 – Sunday, March 23Spring Break
Friday, March 28, 7:30pm and Saturday, March 29, 2pm and 7:30pmIU Ballet Theater Spring Ballet (collegiate production)
Saturday, May 17 Spring Performance for all levels: Creative Ballet, Pre-Ballet, Primary, and Level 1 – 6
Monday, May 19 – Thursday, May 22Yearly Check-in Conferences: Level 1 – 6

Pre-College and Adult Ballet Class options

Class Schedule:

  • Tuesday: Technique, 5:30 – 7 PM
  • Saturday: Technique, 1 – 2:30 PM 

Dress Code: Dark pink leotard, flesh-tone or pink tights and slippers; or fitted white t-shirt (or class color), and black fitted tights

Tuition: $550
  • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition)

Class Schedule:

  • Tuesday & Thursday: Technique, 5:30 – 7 PM
  • Saturday: Technique, 10:30 – 12 PM
Additional Classes- a la carte pricing:
  • Contemporary Class (Level 2) - $150
    • Saturday, 1:15 – 2 PM

Dress Code: Dark purple leotard, flesh-tone or pink tights and slippers; or fitted white t-shirt (or class color), and black fitted tights; for Contemporary Class: class dress code OR any color leotard, black tights/leggings/biker shorts.

Tuition: $700
  • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition)

Class Schedule:

      • Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: Technique, 5:45 – 7:15 PM

      •  Wednesday: Conditioning, 7:30 – 8 PM 

Tuition: $750
  • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition)

Additional Classes- a la carte pricing:

  • Pre-Pointe – $150
      • Tuesday and Thursday, 7:15 – 7:45 PM
  • Contemporary Class (Level 3 & 4) – $200
      • Saturday, 12 – 1 PM
  • Technique Class (Level 2 & 3) – No additional cost
      • Saturday, 10:30 AM – 12 PM 
  • Virtuosity (class for male presenting dancers) – $50
      • Wednesday, 7:15 – 7:35 PM

Dress Code: Dark Green/Hunter Green leotard, flesh-tone or pink tights and shoes; or fitted white t-shirt (or class color), and black fitted tights; for Contemporary Class: class dress code OR any color leotard, black tights/leggings/biker shorts

Class Schedule:

  • 4.1 Core Classes– Tuition $850 
    • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Technique, 5:30 – 7 PM
    • Wednesday: Conditioning 7:30 – 8 PM (Level 3&4)
    • Saturday: Technique, 10:30 AM – 12 PM (Level 4&5, optional 6)
  • 4.2 Core Classes– Tuition $850
    • All classes same as 4.1 except on Mondays
    •  Monday: Conditioning 4 – 4:45 PM, Technique 5 – 6:30 PM (Level 4.2, 5 & 6)
  • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition)

Additional Classes- a la carte pricing:

  • Pointe and Variations– Tuition $200
    • Monday and Wednesday: Pointe, 7 – 7:30 PM
    • Friday: Variations, 7 – 7:30 PM
  • Contemporary Class (Level 3&4) – $200
    • Saturday, 12 – 1 PM
  • Virtuosity (male presenting dancers) – $50
    • Wednesday, 7:15 – 7:35 PM 

Dress Code: Navy Blue leotard, flesh-tone or pink tights and shoes; or fitted white t-shirt (or class color), and black fitted tights; for Contemporary Class: class dress code OR any color leotard, black tights/leggings/biker shorts

Class Schedule:

  • Monday: Conditioning 4 – 4:45 PM, Technique 5 – 6:30 PM, Variations 6:45 – 7:30 PM 

  • Wednesday Technique 4 – 5:30 PM, Partnering 5:30 – 6 PM, Contemporary 6:15 – 7 PM, Virtuosity 7:15 – 7:35 PM 

  • Thursday 4 – 5:30 PM, Pointe 5:30 – 6:30 PM

  • Friday Technique 5:30 – 7 PM, Variations 7 – 7:30 PM

  • Saturday 10:30 AM – 12 PM

Dress Code: Grey leotard, flesh-tone or pink tights and slippers; or fitted white t-shirt, and black fitted tights; for Contemporary Class: class dress code OR any color leotard, black tights/leggings/biker shorts

All-Inclusive Tuition: $1,250
  • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition)

Class Schedule:
• Monday: Conditioning 4:00 – 4:45 PM, Technique 5:00 – 6:30 PM, Variations 6:45 – 7:30 PM 
• Tuesday: Technique (Center on Pointe) 4 – 5:30 PM, Lecture TBA 5:45 – 6:15 PM 
• Wednesday: Technique 4 – 5:30 PM, Partnering 5:30 – 6:00 PM, Contemporary 6:15 – 7 PM, Virtuosity 7:15 – 7:35 PM (male presenting dancers)
• Thursday: Technique 4 – 5:30 PM, Pointe 5:30 – 6:30 PM 
• Friday: Technique 5 – 6:30 PM, Variations 6:30 – 7:30 PM 
• (Optional) Saturday: Technique (Levels 4 & 5) 10:30 – 12 PM

Dress Code: Burgundy leotard, flesh-tone or pink tights and slippers; or fitted white t-shirt (or class color), and black fitted tights; for Contemporary Class: class dress code OR any color leotard, black tights/leggings/biker shorts

All-inclusive Tuition: $1,250
  • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition)

Optional add-on classes outside of regular spring semester

January Bridge Classes: Monday 1/6/25 – Friday 1/31/25

  • Level 2 & 3, T/Th 5:45 – 7 PM (register for 1 – 8 classes)
  • Level 4 – 6, M/W/F 5:45 – 7 PM (register for 1- 11 classes)

Tuition: $15/class, a la carte

Dress Code: Ballet attire or fitted sportswear

Class Schedule: 

  • Monday, 2/3 - Saturday, 5/3 (11 classes)
  • Monday: Beginner Technique, 6:45 – 8:00 PM, $220
  • Saturday: Intermediate Technique, 1 – 2:15 PM, $220
    • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition)
Optional add-on classes for Open Class dancers:
    • Each additional class during the week (by permission of faculty only)
      • 1 class/week, $200
      • 2 classes/week, $400
      • 3 classes/week, $600

Dress Code: Fitted sportswear or ballet attire

Class Schedule: 

  • Saturdays: February 8 – May 3 
    • Tuition - $110 (11 classes)
      • $50 non-refundable enrollment deposit due at registration (credited towards tuition)
  • Equipment: yoga mat or beach towel

Registration & payment deadlines

Spring 2025 Deadlines:

  • February 2 - Registration, Payment, and Financial Aid Deadline
  • January 15 - Need-based Financial Aid Deadline

How to apply

  1. New students ages 9 and up: Before registering, please contact the pre-college program director at balletpc@iu.edu for level placement.
  2. Application process: To apply, complete the online registration form. No auditions are required for enrollment. Late registrations may be accepted pending space availability.
  3. Merit and financial aid (available fall and spring semesters): For those individuals awaiting merit or financial aid decisions, please register in full (e.g., specify the class selection) and select the option to delay payment.
  4. Payment: Accepting payment via credit card or check. For any questions regarding payment, please contact IU Conferences at iuconfs@iu.edu or call 1-800-933-9330. Please do not send checks or any forms of payment to the Office of Jacobs Academy.
  5. Cancellation Policy: Click here for our most up to date cancellation policy.

Registration for Spring 2025 coming soon

Once you have completed the previous steps, please submit the Jacobs Academy Participant Agreement Form